What Happened to Abigail Haight Huntsman?
Abby Huntsman is an American journalist and television personality known for her roles on MSNBC, Fox News, and particularly as a co-host on ABC's 'The View'. She departed 'The View' in 2020 to support her father's gubernatorial campaign and prioritize family, citing a challenging work environment. As of March 2026, she has made a return to television as a guest co-host on 'The View'.
Quick Answer
Abby Huntsman left her full-time co-hosting role on 'The View' in January 2020 to serve as a senior advisor for her father, Jon Huntsman Jr.'s, gubernatorial campaign in Utah and to spend more time with her young family. Reports also indicated a 'toxic' work environment contributed to her departure. After stepping back from daily television, she has been described as a podcaster. Most recently, in March 2026, Huntsman returned to 'The View' as a guest co-host for the week of March 23-27.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline15 events
Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Abigail Haight Huntsman was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the daughter of Jon Huntsman Jr. and Mary Kaye Huntsman.
Graduated from University of Pennsylvania
Huntsman earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and communications from the University of Pennsylvania.
Married Jeffrey Livingston
Abby Huntsman married her University of Pennsylvania boyfriend, Jeffrey Bruce Livingston, in an Episcopal service at Washington National Cathedral.
Worked on father's presidential campaign
Huntsman served as a media advisor and surrogate for her father, Jon Huntsman Jr.'s, 2012 presidential campaign.
Joined MSNBC's 'The Cycle'
Huntsman joined MSNBC as a co-host for 'The Cycle', bringing a conservative viewpoint to the program.
Hired by Fox News
After 'The Cycle' was canceled, Huntsman was hired by Fox News as a general assignment reporter, covering daily news.
Became co-host of 'Fox & Friends Weekend'
Huntsman was named a permanent co-host of 'Fox & Friends Weekend', a role she held until August 2018.
First child, Isabel Grace, born
Abby Huntsman gave birth to her first child, a daughter named Isabel Grace.
Joined ABC's 'The View'
Huntsman joined the long-running ABC talk show 'The View' as one of five co-hosts, providing a conservative voice.
Gave birth to twins, Ruby Kate and William Jeffrey
Huntsman welcomed twins, a daughter Ruby Kate and a son William Jeffrey, bringing her total number of children to three.
Announced departure from 'The View'
Huntsman announced she was leaving 'The View' to join her father's Utah gubernatorial campaign as a senior advisor and to spend more time with her family. Reports also cited a 'toxic' work environment.
Father's gubernatorial campaign
Abby Huntsman served as a senior advisor for her father, Jon Huntsman Jr.'s, campaign for governor of Utah, which he ultimately lost in the primary.
Spoke out about 'toxic' culture at 'The View'
Huntsman openly discussed the 'toxic environment' and 'unbearable culture' at 'The View' as the real reasons for her departure, stating she left for her mental health.
Appeared on Ari Melber's show as a podcaster
Described as a 'former TV show host turned podcaster,' Abby Huntsman appeared on Ari Melber's show to discuss the political situation in the US.
Returned as guest co-host on 'The View'
Abby Huntsman began a week-long stint as a guest co-host on 'The View', marking her return to the show since her full-time departure in 2020.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Abigail Haight Huntsman, born May 1, 1986, is an American journalist and television personality with a career spanning several major news networks. The daughter of former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman Jr., her early career included roles at HuffPost Live, MSNBC's 'The Cycle', and as a political commentator for ABC News. She gained significant prominence during her tenure at Fox News, where she served as a general assignment reporter and later as a co-host of 'Fox & Friends Weekend' from 2016 to 2018.
In September 2018, Huntsman joined the panel of ABC's popular daytime talk show 'The View', bringing a conservative perspective to the lively discussions alongside co-hosts like Whoopi Goldberg and Meghan McCain. Her time on the show was marked by her engagement in political and social debates, earning her a Daytime Emmy Award nomination in 2019 for Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Host.
However, in January 2020, Huntsman announced her abrupt departure from 'The View', stating her intention to join her father's campaign for governor of Utah as a senior advisor and to dedicate more time to her three young children, including newborn twins. While family and political aspirations were cited as primary reasons, multiple reports and later statements from Huntsman herself revealed underlying issues. Sources described a 'toxic' and 'unhealthy' work environment at 'The View', with alleged tensions, particularly with co-host Meghan McCain, and a lack of support from ABC executives. Huntsman explicitly stated that she left to preserve her mental health, describing the culture as 'unbearable'.
Following her departure from 'The View' and her father's unsuccessful gubernatorial bid in 2020, Huntsman largely stepped away from a full-time national television presence. She shifted her focus to her family life in Greenwich, Connecticut, with her husband Jeffrey Livingston and their three children. While maintaining an online presence and engaging with followers on social media, she has explored new ventures, including podcasting. In June 2024, she appeared on Ari Melber's show, identified as a former TV show host turned podcaster, where her comments on political topics garnered attention.
As of March 23, 2026, Abby Huntsman has made a notable return to television as a guest co-host on 'The View' for the week of March 23-27. This temporary return sees her re-engaging with the 'Hot Topics' table, discussing current events and interviewing guests, marking her first appearance back on the show since her departure in 2020.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Abigail Haight Huntsman made different choices?